Back in Alcoutim
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Mon 22 Dec 2014 09:17
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37:28.059N 007:28.119W Alcoutim TC puttered back with the tide to Alcoutim, arriving just as the sun broke through the grey mist and treated us to a hot and sunny afternoon. The children played on deck and we emptied the forepeak to dry everything out in the warm air. Condensation is pretty bad on board, from sunset till dawn the walls are dripping on us despite wiping them down many times during the night. Harry is worst off up front but as long as the days are warm everything can be aired and dried and hopefully wont get mildewy. We have just returned from a "Concerto de Natal" a Christmas Concert in one of the Portuguese church halls, a brilliant and uplifting evening which began with the Choir from Sanlucar, the town opposite Alcoutim. They sang six superb songs with a very talented lead guitarist, some flamenco rhythms with the added talent of the shop keeper playing her Anise bottle with a fork. After two local Portuguese choirs, one very talented with just vocals, the British ex-pats sang lots of traditional carols. The most amusing "Silent Night" was led by Christina the librarian who encouraged us all to join in, there were six verses in six languages from the six nationalities of those living in Alcoutim. The first was in Portuguese, second German, third Spanish, fourth Dutch, fifth French and sixth English, the seventh verse was a free-for-all, ie all nationalities singing in their own language. Great! It was a great chance to meet folk who live here, many of the ex-pats have arrived by boat, fallen in love with the place and bought a plot. Don't worry, we are not going to do the same thing, but we can see why people do! Expedition tomorrow on a bus to Mertola which has been recommended for a visit. |
